Michigan State fans need Peacock streaming service to watch Washington game

EAST LANSING — At least two Michigan State University football games this season could be televised only on streaming platforms, so fervent fans who normally can catch games on network TV or through a cable or satellite subscription will also need to pay for a streaming subscription.

Or find a bar or friend with a subscription to the Peacock streaming service.

The Saturday, Sept. 16 Michigan State-Washington matchup, a home game, is set to be streaming only on the Peacock streaming service.

And MSU's first road game of the year, at Iowa on Sept. 30, will also be only on Peacock, Action Network's Brett McMurphy reported, unless other networks take the game.

NBC will be broadcasting the Maryland, Ohio State and Penn State games, according to MSU's official schedule.

The university and NBC have not announced the broadcast plans for the remaining season slate.

Peacock is a streaming service owned by NBC. The Big Ten agreed to a seven-year, $7 billion media rights deal with NBC/Peacock and Fox and CBS last year.

Here's what you need to know if you don't yet have Peacock.

MORE: Sparti Parti and Bud Light: What to know about alcohol sales at Spartan Stadium

What is a streaming service and how do I get Peacock?

Streaming services are a modern take on cable using Internet devices or smart TVs to access a variety of live and recorded shows. Smart TVs began being released more than a decade before and most newer TVs can access most streaming platforms, but it will require a subscription for that particular streaming service, such as a $5.99 a month Peacock subscription for the MSU games.

Older TVs can often be adapted using devices like an Amazon Fire Stick Lite or a gaming system like a Playstation 5, which would let you buy and view steaming services.

How many games have TV slots set?

According to MSUSpartans.com, the initial TV schedule has been announced for four upcoming games:

• Washington, Sept. 16, on Peacock

• Maryland, Sept. 23, on NBC

• Ohio State, Nov. 11, on NBC

• Penn State, Nov. 24, on NBC

Broadcast plans for six other games are yet to be announced.

MORE: Couch: A meaningful, emotional and revealing night awaits MSU's football team against Washington

When are the MSU games that may be streamed?

The Washington game is set for 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Iowa game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30, but those times are subject to change, since the league's other TV partners Fox and CBS can still change the broadcast platform and kickoff times of games based on the Big Ten's "flex scheduling" model that starts this season.

MORE: Michigan State vs. Washington football: 5 determining factors and a prediction

What does a Peacock subscription cost?

A home subscription for the Peacock streaming service starts at $5.99 a month, reflecting a recent $1 increase.

With the two MSU games happening within three weeks, you can cancel the Peacock subscription within a month and get both games for fairly cheap.

Or, for $250, you can buy an Indian blue male peafowl, the standard real-life peacock, said Brad Legg, of Kansas City-based Leggs Peafowl Farm.

Bars and restaurants will need a license to show the streaming games to an audience, according to a recent report from NBC Sports. The report does not list the cost for a sports bar or restaurant subscription.

Detroit Free Press reporter Chris Solari contributed to this report.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU-Washington on Peacock: What you need to know to stream the game